10/31/2024
A list of 100 important pharmacology questions and answers would be very helpful for study and review! Here’s a selection of some of the most high-yield topics in pharmacology to get started. These cover core concepts across drug mechanisms, effects, side effects, and clinical applications.
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Basic Principles of Pharmacology
1. What is pharmacokinetics?
o Pharmacokinetics involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs.
2. What is bioavailability?
o Bioavailability is the fraction of an administered drug dose that reaches systemic circulation.
3. What factors affect drug absorption?
o pH, lipid solubility, blood flow, and surface area impact absorption rates.
4. What is the therapeutic index?
o The therapeutic index (TI) is the ratio between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose of a drug. Higher TI indicates a safer drug.
5. What is first-pass metabolism?
o It’s the initial metabolism of a drug in the liver or intestines before reaching systemic circulation, reducing its bioavailability.
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Autonomic Nervous System Drugs
6. What are the main types of cholinergic receptors?
o Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.
7. What is the role of acetylcholine?
o Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction and autonomic nervous system functions.
8. What are beta-blockers and their use?
o Beta-blockers block adrenergic beta-receptors and are used for hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
9. What are the side effects of anticholinergics?
o Dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and tachycardia.
10. How do adrenergic agonists work?
• They stimulate adrenergic receptors, leading to effects like vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased heart rate.
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Cardiovascular Drugs
11. How do ACE inhibitors work?
• They block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, lowering blood pressure.
12. What is digoxin used for?
• Treating heart failure and atrial fibrillation by increasing cardiac contractility.
13. What are the side effects of calcium channel blockers?
• Dizziness, headache, peripheral edema, and bradycardia.
14. What is the mechanism of action of statins?
• Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol synthesis.
15. How do diuretics lower blood pressure?
• By promoting excretion of sodium and water, reducing blood volume and pressure.
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Antimicrobials
16. What is the mechanism of action of penicillin?
• It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, causing cell lysis.
17. What are common side effects of antibiotics?
• Nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions, and Clostridium difficile infection.
18. What is the spectrum of action for tetracyclines?
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
19. What is antibiotic resistance?
• When bacteria develop mechanisms to survive despite antibiotic treatment.
20. What are aminoglycosides, and what is their primary toxicity?
• Antibiotics that can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
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Endocrine Drugs
21. How does insulin work in diabetes?
• Insulin facilitates glucose uptake into cells, lowering blood glucose levels.
22. What is metformin, and how does it work?
• Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
23. What are corticosteroids used for?
• Treating inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune diseases.
24. What are side effects of long-term steroid use?
• Osteoporosis, hypertension, weight gain, and immunosuppression.
25. How do thyroid hormones affect the body?
• They regulate metabolism, growth, and energy levels.
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CNS Drugs
26. What are benzodiazepines, and how do they work?
• They enhance GABA activity, producing sedative and anxiolytic effects.
27. What are common side effects of SSRIs?
• Nausea, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
28. What is the mechanism of action of antipsychotics?
• They typically block dopamine receptors to reduce symptoms of psychosis.
29. What is the therapeutic use of lithium?
• Managing bipolar disorder by stabilizing mood.
30. What are stimulants used for ADHD?
• Medications like amphetamine increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels.
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Anti-inflammatory and Pain Medications
31. What is the mechanism of NSAIDs?
• They inhibit COX enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and inflammation.
32. What are side effects of NSAIDs?
• Gastrointestinal irritation, kidney damage, and increased cardiovascular risk.
33. How does acetaminophen differ from NSAIDs?
• It lacks anti-inflammatory effects and primarily reduces fever and pain.
34. What are opioids, and how do they work?
• Opioids bind to opioid receptors, providing pain relief but with addiction potential.
35. What are the signs of opioid overdose?
• Respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, and unconsciousness.
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Oncology and Immunosuppressive Drugs
36. What is the mechanism of action of alkylating agents?
• They damage DNA to prevent cancer cell replication.
37. What are common side effects of chemotherapy?
• Nausea, vomiting, alopecia, and immunosuppression.
38. How do monoclonal antibodies work in cancer?
• They target specific antigens on cancer cells, enhancing immune response.
39. What is methotrexate, and what is it used for?
• An antimetabolite used in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
40. What are immunosuppressants used for?
• To prevent organ rejection and treat autoimmune diseases.
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Other Key Drug Classes and Concepts
41. What is pharmacodynamics?
• The study of how drugs exert their effects on the body.
42. What is a prodrug?
• An inactive compound metabolized into an active drug in the body.
43. How does a competitive antagonist work?
• It binds to the same receptor site as the agonist, blocking its effect.
44. What is drug tolerance?
• A reduced response to a drug over time, requiring a higher dose for effect.
45. What are adverse drug reactions (ADRs)?
• Harmful, unintended reactions to drugs at normal doses.
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This gives you a starting set of key questions. Expanding this list to 100 would include detailed questions on different drugs in categories like hematology, GI drugs, vaccines, and special populations (e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics). Let me know if you'd like more questions in any particular area or would like a deeper dive on certain drug classes.
